Valparaiso University Introduces Environmental Engineering Degree

Valpo’s College of Engineering, ranked as one of the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, will expand its degree offerings with the development of an environmental engineering major, available to students beginning fall 2019.

“The addition of an environmental engineering major allows the College of Engineering to provide a new and exciting program in an emerging field that both fulfills our mission and a significant societal need,” said Eric W. Johnson ’87, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering. “Whether working for industrial companies, consulting firms, or regulatory agencies, our graduates will be at the forefront of solving the environmental challenges that we face now and in the future.”

Regionally, there is a significant need for environmental engineers in Northwest Indiana due to the presence of heavy industry, such as steel mills, and challenges around clean air and water. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a solid job outlook, with a projected 8 percent increase in jobs from 2016 to 2026.

The environmental engineering program is interdisciplinary in nature with a strong link between the natural sciences and engineering. It will provide significant opportunities for research collaboration between faculty in engineering and other programs across campus, facilitated by the recent opening of the Center for the Sciences: Chemistry and Biochemistry, a 55,800-square-foot laboratory building located near the College of Engineering’s facilities.

Students in Valpo’s environmental engineering program will be equipped with the professional skills needed to work collaboratively with others to engineer solutions that protect the environment and use resources in a sustainable manner. Through integrated classroom and lab experiences, they will learn how to prevent, reduce and treat pollution in the air, soil and water.

Developing academic programs that provide strong career opportunities for students is one of several strategies outlined in Valparaiso University’s strategic plan, aligned with the priority to model high-quality holistic education. Valpo’s holistic view of education links rigorous learning in the liberal arts and professional disciplines through curricular and co-curricular programming.